Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced the results of its latest Express Entry system draw. In the 356th round of invitations, IRCC specifically targeted candidates from the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), issuing 202 Invitations to Apply (ITA).

According to official information, candidates invited in this round had to meet two criteria:

• First, possess a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of at least 788;
• Second, have created their Express Entry profile before 11:50 p.m. Universal Coordinated Time (UTC) on June 5, 2025.

The high cut-off score of 788 reflects the 600 additional points awarded to candidates upon receiving a provincial nomination, once again underscoring the significant advantage of a PNP in the Express Entry system.

Review of 2025 Express Entry Draw Trends

Today's draw marks the third invitation round of the month, following a Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draw on July 8, a PNP draw on July 7, and another CEC draw on June 26.

So far in 2025, IRCC has issued a cumulative total of 45,403 ITAs through the Express Entry system. This year's strategy has shown a clear focus on PNP candidates, with the remaining ITAs allocated primarily to CEC candidates, those with French-language proficiency, and candidates in priority occupation categories.

The distribution of draw types this year illustrates a clear pattern:

1. Provincial Nominee Program (PNP): 13 draws
2. Canadian Experience Class (CEC): 7 draws
3. French-language proficiency: 3 draws
4. Healthcare and social services: 2 draws
5. Education: 1 draw

The recent pattern has seen IRCC alternating between PNP and CEC draws approximately every two weeks, providing consistent opportunities for candidates from different backgrounds.

Navigating the Age Factor: Successful Immigration Strategies for Applicants Over 40

Age is a significant factor affecting a candidate's CRS score, causing concern for many applicants over 40. Within the CRS scoring system, candidates aged 20 to 29 receive the maximum 110 points. From age 30 onwards, points for age decrease annually. For instance, a 40-year-old applicant receives 50 points, while those aged 45 and over receive zero points for this factor.

However, a lower age score does not mean immigration is out of reach. Two key pathways remain highly effective for boosting the competitiveness of older applicants, often completely offsetting the disadvantage of age.

1. Qualifying for Category-Based Draws

Category-based draws open a door for candidates with relatively lower CRS scores. These draws prioritize candidates with specific skills, work experience, or language abilities that are in high demand in Canada's labor market, rather than relying solely on a high overall score. For example, the lowest CRS cut-off for a category-based draw in 2025 has been as low as 379, far below the scores of over 520 often seen in CEC draws.

This mechanism works by first filtering the Express Entry pool by a specific category (e.g., healthcare, education, French proficiency) before ranking candidates by their CRS score. This process typically results in lower cut-off scores than general, all-program draws. Therefore, if an applicant's professional background aligns with one of IRCC's six priority categories, they have a strong chance of being invited, even at an older age.

2. Securing a Provincial Nomination

For Express Entry candidates over 40, pursuing a provincial nomination is another extremely effective strategy. All Canadian provinces and territories, except for Quebec and Nunavut, operate their own PNPs, offering over 80 different pathways to immigration.

If a candidate successfully obtains an "enhanced" nomination aligned with the Express Entry system, their CRS score will be increased by a massive 600 points. This bonus virtually guarantees that the candidate will surpass the CRS cut-off in a subsequent targeted draw, thereby securing an ITA. This makes the PNP the most powerful tool for older applicants to overcome a lower age score and achieve their immigration goals.

Summary of Express Entry draws in 2025